HC Deb 13 July 1987 vol 119 cc331-2W
Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will outline the action which he has initiated at the United Nations to protest about the arbitrary execution of members of the Baha'i faith in the Islamic Republic of Iran; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

For the last five years, including 1987, we have co-sponsored the resolution on human rights in Iran at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. These resolutions urged the Iranian Government to respect the human rights standards set out in the instruments to which it is party. The resolutions also established and renewed the appointment of the commission's special representative on Iran, including a specific mandate to investigate the treatment of Baha'is.

In 1985 and 1986 we also co-sponsored the resolutions on human rights in Iran at the United Nations General Assembly.

Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonweath Affairs (1) if he will raise with the United Nations Human Rights Commission allegations of the use of an electric guillotine to cut off fingers of prisoners during 1986 in the Islamic Republic of Iran detailed in a recent report by Amnesty International;

(2) if he will raise with the United Nations Human Rights Commission allegations of stoning to death of at least eight people during 1986 in the Islamic Republic of Iran detailed in a recent report by Amnesty International;

(3) if he will raise with the United Nations Human Rights Commission allegations of the use of torture, including floggings and mock executions in the Islamic Republic of Iran detailed in a recent report by Amnesty International.

Mr. Mellor

For the last five years, including 1987, we have co-sponsored the resolution on human rights in Iran at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. At the next session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in February 1988, we will again make clear our continued abhorrence of all violations of human rights in Iran.